113th Precinct: Drug Smuggling

A crewmember for Fly Jamaica Airways arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport was allegedly discovered to be transporting $160,000 worth of cocaine into the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Hugh Hall, a citizen of Jamaica, arrived at JFK Airport on March 17 on a flight from Montego Bay and presented himself for inspection. Hugh was escorted to a private search room, where Customs officers allegedly discovered four packages taped to his legs, all of which contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Hall was arrested on a charge of importation of a controlled substance and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Approximately nine pounds of cocaine was allegedly seized. Hall faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York.

“This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of illegal drugs,” said Leon Hayward, acting director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.